The Cheers, Tears and Jeers of Holy Week

For Christians, Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, as Palm Sunday is celebrated worldwide. They gather in their sanctuaries and walk neighborhood streets waving palms and singing “Hosanna!” (Mark 11). 

Palm Sunday is filled with celebrations, as children often lead the way down the aisles of churches.  Songs are lifted, sermons preached and smiles offered as Christians fondly recall the momentous day of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

For most, it is a day filled with joy and hope.

Yet, another sound will echo in the shadows amidst Palm Sunday’s cheers this year. Suppose Christians pause from their celebrations and listen carefully and honestly. If they do, they will hear the tearful cries of those suffering in the shadows— away from decorated sanctuaries and busy neighborhood streets.

Christians will hear the tears of migrants making the long journey towards a better life to be welcomed by bigotry and hate. They will listen to the sobs of Jewish families facing another week without their loved ones being held captive. They will discover a sickening feeling as they hear empty stomachs rumble of Palestinian children on the brink of starvation.  

Through the cheers and tears of Palm Sunday, another sound should emerge—the sound of jeers.  Following Palm Sunday, Christians must remember Jesus’ final destination that day.  

Jesus made his way to the Temple and looked around. Apparently, he did not like what he saw or heard.

The next day, Jesus returned. Before entering the Temple, he noticed a fig tree. Still angry about what happened at the Temple the previous day, Jesus cursed the fig tree, saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:14).

Jesus had had enough.

Jesus entered the Temple with a mission: upend the corruption and injustices that were taking advantage of the poor, marginalized and oppressed. He began to drive everyone out of the Temple, sellers and buyers alike. Jesus knew the only way to combat systemic corruption at this level was to get everyone’s attention.

Wielding a whip, he turned over tables and caused an incredible stir. If Jesus was on the most wanted list, this incident sent him straight to the top. At this point, Jesus was doomed because he dared point out the absurdity and injustice of the religious and political systems benefiting the powerful.

As Christians gather this Sunday to wave their palms and sing praises alongside their celebratory moods, they need to seriously consider the totality of that day and the day that followed. Jesus did not enter Jerusalem to be cheered; he entered the holy city because of all the unholiness he witnessed as a child and adult.  

Remember the curse of the fig tree. 
Remember, Jesus drove out the sellers and buyers.
Remember, Jesus knew the bricks of the Temple were about to crumble.
Remember, Jesus did not merely give up his life—the empire executed him in collaboration with religious leaders.

The cheers, tears and jeers of Holy Week culminated in silencing a divine voice calling for the inclusion, freedom and justice for all of God’s children.

However, from the silence sprang a song—a melody filling Sunday morning with love, justice and hope.

On this Palm Sunday, carve out time to listen to the tears and jeers beneath the celebratory cheers because it is in those sounds we hear the work of God, suffering and struggling with the powerless.  

Palm Sunday is a day of celebration—not out of the notions of power and triumph, though. We celebrate because God finally heard the voices of the oppressed and decided to act.  

That is worthy of waving palms and singing, “Hosanna!”